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Medical Professionals

Parents and families are especially vulnerable at the time of loss because of the physiological changes and the psychological trauma sustained.  Both parents experience unfamiliar feelings and may be unaware of their own needs at the time of the loss.  They often require assistance in making decisions.  Hospital policies regarding the death of a child during pregnancy or infancy should provide support and sensitive guidance for parents throughout the decisions making process, allowing for individual expression of grief. 

Personnel in all units/clinics who may interact with the parents and their families who experience a loss should have a policy for providing care when the death occurs. Areas requiring such a policy include settings where infant losses are managed, especially the Labor and Delivery, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Nursery, Anetpartum Care, doctor’s offices, clinics and emergency departments.  These policies underscore the rights of parents and their families to make decisions regarding their care and the care of their babies who have died. 

Guidelines for Medical Professionals (PDF)